Monday, July 7, 2008

School Library 2.0

"Say good-bye to your mother’s school library"
By Christopher Harris -- School Library Journal, 5/1/2006

The author could have left the word, "mother's" out of this article as unfortunately there are still many school libraries or library media centers that are not where they should be academically, philosophically and technologically. That's why courses like this are so important. I agree that now more than ever, information specialists have to promote themselves and advertise their "products and services". In my district 5 of the 7 elementary schools have no library support staff. This past year, due to negative budget votes, unmandated elementary library media specialists were once again brought up to the chopping block. Perhaps, if it were not for parental outcries, seven librarians could have been replaced by library aides.
Sometimes districts put the cart before the horse, installing new technologies with little thought of training or instruction. Librarians are given increased responsibilities with less support staff. Yet, we carry on and try our best to put our best foot forward. Having faculty, students and parents enthusiastically involved and engaged is a must. The power of Web 2.0 is tremendous and I hope to be able to implement some of these technologies in more effective ways in September.

2 comments:

Karen Kliegman said...

Ray,
It makes me sad to read about the attitude in your district. That is why it is so important to make ourselves integral to the school community! Ways to do this is are to form a great relationship with your principal; be on as many committees as possible; and provide a valuable service to the community. It is not fair that very often we have to 'prove' the importance of our roles. To not have support staff limits what we have time to do. Yes, it would certainly help if our jobs were mandated at the elementary level! Once you start implementing new changes in your lmc, advertise, advertise, advertise!!

Ray A. said...

The good news is that last Thursday the new interim assistant superintendent called me with a gift of $1,500.00 for ordering books. She explained that she saw my library budget and realized how inadequate it was. She then informed me that she was also a librarian!!!